Chapter 1 - Kristopher
Emmanuil gestures towards the map projected onto the wall of the boardroom in my office building.
“Our territories are strong, and the past few months of working together have proven that it’s good for business. Profits have increased, and we’re able to move product faster and easier,” he says, then looks around the room at each of the men sitting at the table.
Nestor and Benedikt nod in agreement.
Five Bratva kings in one room, each offering incredible power to our alliance. Our territories are split across the West Coast, and we each run our own kingdoms as we see fit, respecting the others, but working together in many branches of our businesses.
I am the newest member of this alliance; my sister’s marriage opened the door for me and ended a long-time war between Emmanuil Belyayev’s family and mine.
“When were you planning on announcing the alliance, Kristopher?” Ardalion asks. I shift in my seat. I knew this was going to be asked at some point today.
It’s a fair question. But because I’ve only recently resolved major issues with Emmanuil, and our long-term disagreement, which was largely a misunderstanding, has been set aside, it’s still a very new partnership, and announcing it in an official capacity is going to stir disapproval from certain people.
The alliance strengthened my position in Phoenix by providing ties to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.
But for now, I am reluctant to make the alliance public, not fully or officially, until my father and his consistent interference are completely out of the picture.
Even after I announced that I was taking over as Pakhan in Phoenix, forcing my father to step down from his role as Bratva King, he hasn’t; he refuses to let go.
At the heart of it, I am running Phoenix and all of our businesses. But they are all still in his name, so he holds onto that power, and I want him fully removed from the situation before I start announcing alliances that will most certainly provoke him.
I’m not in the mood to deal with his tantrums, not when I’m so close to being fully, irrevocably in command.
“Soon,” I sigh, folding my arms across my chest and rolling my neck to the side to try to ease the tension sitting between my shoulder blades. “I just have a few issues to iron out before I poke the bear.”
Emmanuil chuckles. “Have you heard from your father since the event where he was rather publicly humiliated?”
“My intention wasn’t to humiliate him.”
“I know. It’s just how it had to happen, though,” Emmanuil shrugs, studying me.
“But to answer your question, yes, and no. Apart from a few annoying calls here and there, he’s been quiet. But I know he’s moving around in the background, and I can’t assume he’s given up his throne that easily.”
He hasn’t. There’s nothing to assume. He’s still playing for power.
Nestor stands, pulling his phone from his pocket and glancing at the screen. “I need to get going. This meeting wenton a bit longer than planned, and I have my pilot waiting on the runway. I’ve got to get back to San Francisco.”
“Thanks for coming, all of you, I appreciate it,” I say, standing as well and picking my phone up off the table, slipping it into my pocket.
Ardalion and Benedikt stand. Ard stretches and yawns loudly. “My sisters are waiting to meet me for lunch,” he comments.
“Kira and Alya are in Phoenix?” Benedikt asks.
“Yes, they’re always somewhere, up to something, those two.”
We say goodbye, and everyone leaves except Emmanuil, who stands aside to let the others through the door.
When we’re alone in the boardroom, he cocks his head to the left and smiles. “Jess wanted me to bring her so she could visit.”
“Yeah, she’s been nagging me too, but I don’t want her in Phoenix until I have our father under control.”
“I agree. She’s safer at home with me in San Diego. But maybe when you get some free time, you can come visit her there?” he lifts his brows.
“Free time? There’s no such thing,” I chuckle.
His mouth curls into a smile. “Tell me about it.”
